Australian PGA appoints Gavin Kirkman as new CEO

The PGA of Australia has announced the appointment of Gavin Kirkman, a highly experienced executive with a real passion for golf, as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Peter O’Malley, Chairman of the PGA Board, said the appointment of Kirkman to replace Brian Thorburn was particularly noteworthy as the new CEO comes from within the golfing community and the organisation’s ranks. Kirkman is a long serving PGA employee having been CEO of PGA Queensland from 2002 – 2007 and the PGA’s National Chief Membership Officer for the past six years.

“Gavin is a long term, dedicated and highly regarded PGA executive who understands all aspects of the game and who we appointed as Interim Joint CEO in January this year with Stuart Hergt, PGA CFO, who is an integral part of the association and assumes his current role on the senior executive team with added responsibilities.

“Gavin and this new leadership team represents great continuity, industry knowledge and experience which is critical to delivering to the membership strong playing, employment and business outcomes,” O’Malley said.

“Gavin has a highly regarded reputation and is known throughout the industry for his focus on people and his passion for the game. He will be a champion of teamwork and partnership. His undoubted open style and capability in engaging with all the stakeholders in golf will be critical to the success of the game in Australia into the future.” O’Malley said.

Commenting on his appointment Kirkman said, “It is an honour and privilege to lead the PGA, an organisation with a rich history and legacy dating back to 1911.”

“Australian golf on the world stage is celebrating great success and we can be very proud of the achievements of our current touring professionals who are making news every day.

“My intention is to continue to develop opportunities for these members and drive a tournament and event strategy that ensures confidence across government and commercial sectors in the best interests of our partners, our professionals and the game here and overseas.”

“I am very excited to be in a position to truly make a difference by supporting and building programs for the unsung heroes of the Game, the Vocational Professionals, who work tirelessly across the country and behind the scenes every day to keep this great game great. These members are small business owners, employees and trainees who are the face of the game and critical to growing participation through national collaborative programs, in providing education and in the day to day commerce of the industry.” he said.

“I am committed to building a culture at the PGA that engenders trust, progress and collaboration at every level.”

Kirkman has a great knowledge of the game and the industry, having worked in golf since 1985 across all areas with the past 20 years in senior management roles covering a variety of areas. His past experience includes senior executive roles with globally recognised companies, Panasonic, Club Corp, Morgan Stanley and most recently, RACV.

Kirkman’s appointment follows the successful completion by Brian Thorburn of his two, three year contracted terms last month.

Brian is an award winning golf writer and is the founder and editor of Australian Senior Golfer. He is a former Sydney journalist who had little interest in golf till he hit his first ball at the age of 49 (and a half). Since then golf has just about overtaken his life. Brian founded ASG in April 2008 and has since covered every Australian Open, Presidents Cups, World Cups and numerous other big men’s and women’s tournaments, spending days inside the ropes with the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Fred Couples, Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Karrie Webb, and many others. He has also played in, and reported on, numerous amateur tournaments, particularly senior and veteran events, around the country. Brian is a member of the Australian Golf Media Association and won the award for Best News Report for 2016 - 2017